Signs are we are getting back to our best: Castleford coach

Tony Harber

Castleford Tigers boss Daryl Powell believes there are plenty of positive signs that his team are getting over their mid-season blip.

While not at their best the Tigers have recorded back to back wins over Salford and Widnes to get their First Utility Super League campaign back on track after two previous defeats on the spin and head coach Powell wants the team to kick on again now.

He told the Express: “I think we’re getting there and there are some real good signs.

“We had a really gutsy, toughed out win against Salford, who are showing that they are coming into a bit of form, then against Widnes last week there were some real signs that we are getting back to some form.

“But consistency within a game we are still striving for. I just thought we gave Widnes too many opportunities through our handling errors, but there were a lot of pleasing signs from the game.

“I thought we played some smart rugby league.

“We started really well and getting three tries on the board so quickly gave us a great opportunity to go on with it then we made some poor decisions on the back of line breaks that hurt us a little bit. It gave Widnes an opportunity to get back into the game.

“But I thought overall we were good for large parts. There were still bits for us to improve on, but we are gradually getting it back.”

Powell was pleased with the way his side showed an attacking cutting edge from their own half to cut open Widnes with some long spectacular long range tries.

He said: “There were some interesting stats on Sky about long range tries saying we are the best team in the comp at that, in terms of scoring from distance and in our own half.

“Some of it is down to players reacting really well to errors by the opposition, but we do like to play from there as well and our ability to play from deep is pleasing. We have got enough pace to score tries from distance.

“Obviously we are trying to win the game, but we want to play in the right spirit as well and if we can entertain fans while winning that’s great.

“Generally we are doing pretty well with most of those things, we are just striving for consistency now, to get that back and know what we are going to turn up with every week. We’re gradually piecing it together again.”

Powell had words of praise for several of the players who were outstanding at Widnes.

He added: “Daryl Clark took his three tries well and scored them all from distance, showing how quick he is.

“The second try was something pretty special. To score that shows a good eye for an opening and the ability to finish it is something he’s got in abundance.

“Michael Shenton also did some outstanding things and I thought Grant Millington’s performance was right up there as well after he’s had a bit of blip.

“We had a lot of players who are starting to get back to their very best. That’s a really good sign for us

“I thought Nathan Massey was good as well. He’s come back from a couple of injuries that have really disrupted his season and I thought in the second half he was really good.

“He’s showing signs of getting back to his best as Adam Milner is as well. I was really pleased with him.”